# Mountain of Crime, a Murder Mystery Comedy

## Metadata

- Slug: mountain-of-crime
- Type: Full-length Play
- Genre: Comedy
- Acts:
  - 1 act
  - 2 acts
- Duration:
  - 60–90 minutes
  - 90–120 minutes
- Cast: Medium (7-14)
- Cast Summary: 5m (or 4 with doubling), 3f
- Movement Requirements: Flexible
- Technical Requirements: Minimal
- Suitable For:
  - Community Theatre
  - College/University
  - High School/Secondary
- Primary Image: https://content.uproartheatrics.com/l6asgb17l31v31ozxd17rbgqq5ql

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## Authors

- By [James Mainard O’Connell](https://www.uproartheatrics.com/md/authors/james-mainard-oconnell) and [Francis RTM Boyle](https://www.uproartheatrics.com/md/authors/francis-rtm-boyle)

## Overview

**It's a madcap mobster murder mystery: **
The retiring head of the National Crime Syndicate has called a meeting of regional crime bosses to announce his replacement. But when he ends up *murdered (!)* before choosing a successor, it is up to the audience to decide whodunnit. With six different endings, improvisational audience interaction, and a goon with a particularly warm place in his heart for a brick, *Mountain of Crime*'s only real crime is being far funnier than a murder mystery has any right to be. A three-course meal for the actors (and potentially a real meal for the audience—more on this below), this noir-inspired piece smartly flips those mobster tropes on their heads, while delighting with broad comedy.
**Let's talk logistics:**
*What's this about dinner?* Three optional breaks throughout the piece provide the opportunity to serve a coursed meal when performed at a dinner theatre or onsite at a restaurant. When performed at a standard theatre, these breaks can be removed entirely and the piece performed straight through, or a standard intermission can be utilized.
*So how long is this thing?* Depending on the length of these breaks and how much audience interaction you utilize, you're looking at a flexible length of anywhere between 1-2+ hours.

## Cast

| Name | Description |
| ---- | ---- |
| THE DON | Male, 30-50. Head of the National Crime Syndicate.   |
| VANESSA | Female, 30-50. The Don’s wife. |
| BUTCH | Male, 20s-40s. The Don’s goon. |
| LUCKY | Male, 30-50. Head of the Kentucky Crime Syndicate. |
| RED | Female, 30-50. Head of the Boston Crime Syndicate.   |
| HUNGRY | Male, 30-50. Head of the New York Crime Syndicate.  |
| HONEY | Female, 20s-40. Butch’s girlfriend. |
| MARLOWE | Male, 30-50. Twin brother of The Don. May be played by the same actor as The Don or separate actors. |

## Materials

### Available for additional fee:

| Name | Description |
| ---- | ----------- |
| 60-Minute Talkback with the Creators | A 60-minute Zoom/Google Meet with one or more of the show's creator(s). Licensees and guests can ask questions, share experiences, and hear about the artistic journey of the show and creative team. This can be scheduled before or after the performances. If we are unable to make scheduling work, the cost will be refunded. |
| Video Recording License | License to create an archival recording of the show that may be distributed to the cast and crew. This does not allow publicly posting the performance. |

## Links

- [View HTML page](https://www.uproartheatrics.com/shows/mountain-of-crime)